Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

Moet & Chandon chateau. All the other statues of Dom Perignon, of which there are many, scattered in and around Epernay, are copies. Moreover, it is well known that Moet & Chandon was the favourite drink of Napoleon and that he always drank it before his battles. I understand from an unimpeachable source in Swift & Moore that the only time he failed to do this was before Waterloo, and we know what happened there. It seems to me that at least one bottle of Moet & Chandon should be in every sensible man's survival kit ... I now have pleasure in asking Mr Livingstone to address us. 14 Speech at the opening of the Moet & Chandon exhibition, 2 May 1991 Now that the exhibition is officially open, it only remains for me to bring this evening's proceedings to a close by thanking Mr Ray Barrett, the opener, and Mr John Livingstone, the representative of the sponsor, Moet & Chandon, whose generosity has made the exhibition possible. Before that, however I should also like to congratulate the winner of the Grand Prix de Moet & Chandon, Gordon Bennett. It is gratifying to think that he is the third Queenslander to win it in the five years that the prize has been awarded. We think highly of his work and have several examples of it in the Collection. And now, first, I thank Ray Barrett for his highly professional performance in opening the exhibition-indeed, just what one would expect from such a distinguished actor who has long had an interest in the arts. This is, as far as I know, the first time that an exhibition in this Gallery has been opened by an actor, and I hope it will not be the last. His mention of public sector support is very timely in relation to the sponsor, Moet & Chandon ... Champagne and art have much in common. Their production requires great skill and dedication and they both do much to enrich and embellish our lives. Indeed, it could safely be said that champagne and art are the two most civilised drugs of addiction available to modern man. Certainly, no other wine has been so widely acclaimed over the centuries ... 15 Speech to thank Mr Jonah Jones of Swift & Moore and to introduce the Most Reverend Peter Hollingworth, AO,OBE at the opening of the Moet & Chandon exhibition for 1993, 16 December 1993 It is a great pleasure for those of us here in the Gallery, who value and enjoy not only the visual arts but other equally important aspects of civilised living, that the champagne season is upon us once again. This year marks the completion of the first seven-year cycle of the Moet & Chandon Australian Art Fellowship which has provided young artists with the means to live and study in France for a whole year. It also marks the 250th anniversary of the House itself. 132